Maurice Samuels

Maurice Samuels, an expert on the Dreyfus Affair, discusses the false accusations against Alfred Dreyfus in 1894 and the impact of antisemitism in France. They delve into the bias and evidence fabrication leading to Dreyfus's conviction, his public degradation, the efforts to uncover the truth, and his triumph over injustice. The podcast highlights the lasting impact on Jewish political ideologies and societal divisions.

Maurice Samuels, historian and director of Yale’s Program for the Study of Antisemitism, explores Jewish life in France from emancipation to the Dreyfus crisis. He traces Dreyfus’s story, the rise of public intellectuals like Zola, distinct regional Jewish communities, and the difference between assimilation and integration. The conversation also covers laïcité, Léon Blum’s ascent, and colonial-era tensions shaping modern French Jewish identity.

Maurice Samuels, historian and director of Yale’s antisemitism program, discusses French Jewish life and his new biography of Alfred Dreyfus. He traces Dreyfus’s trial and exile, the role of Zola and public intellectuals, and distinctions between assimilation and integration in France. The conversation also covers laïcité, Léon Blum’s rise, and how debates over French identity echo into modern politics.